Scrum half Whiteley joins Bears ahead of 2021 season

The highly rated 25-year-old, who joins from Saracens, is set to arrive ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Whiteley has made 49 appearances for the former Premiership champions, scoring 91 points.

“Competition and quality depth right across all positions is crucial for our continued growth. Tom has the hunger and ambition to compete with the scrum halves we have here already. His skillset and talent certainly complement the way we like to play the game,” said Director of Rugby Pat Lam.

“To add another young, talented scrum half to our squad is exciting and Tom will ensure that we keep raising the bar and standard in all positions as we strive to be world class in everything we do.”

Whiteley caught the eye during his time at Millfield School, playing alongside Callum Sheedy, where he was awarded Player of the Tournament for the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools 7s in 2014.

He added: “I'm excited by the opportunity at Bristol Bears. Everybody can see the direction the club is heading and the ambition that Pat Lam and the team are showing in their game.

“You feel a fantastic wave of energy simply when you walk into the new Bears high Performance Centre. I'm looking forward to continuing my development as a player and realising my full potential in that environment.”